SNA vows to work with AMISOM closely in fight against Al-Shabaab

The Somali National army has pledged to work with Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) force closely to flush Al-Shabaab fighters out of the Horn of Africa nation.

Speaking at a five-day conference that was wrapped in Mogadishu, SNA Chief of Defence, Mohamed Aden Ahmed said the SNA will work with AMISOM to ensure Al-Shabaab is defeated and peace is restored to the country.

Ahmed pledged to help implement the key recommendations of the conference but made an impassioned plea to the international community for more support to the SNA.

Lt. Gen. Soubagleh, the AMISOM Force Commander on his part, noted that the meeting had been productive, saying the commanders had achieved a lot in the past few days.

“The Chief of Defence Forces of SNA has pledged to work with us and fight side by side with AMISOM and we also pledge the same against and enemy.”

Soubagleh appealed for joint efforts from the public in fighting Al-Shabaab.

“We must take initiative to fight them in their safe havens. We must isolate them from the population and provide Somali people with security and enable them to rebuild their country,” the AMISOM commander said.

Al-Shabaab fighters have of late increased their attacks on AMISOM bases, hotels and public utilities in a bid to topple the Somali government.

Dozens of people have been killed in the past months in Al-Shabaab attacks in the capital Mogadishu and southern Somalia.